The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant William Marland, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 3 November 1863, while serving with 2d Independent Battery, 2d Massachusetts Light Artillery, in action at Grand Coteau, Louisiana. After having been surrounded by the enemy’s cavalry, his support having surrendered, First Lieutenant Marland ordered a charge and saved the section of the battery that was under his command.